While Canada is known for a diverse food culture, OpenTable’s analysis reveals that we’re also a nation of hungry romantics. In order to provide a ranking of cities where romantic dining is inherently part of the culture, the OpenTable Most Romantic Cities Index was calculated using three variables: the percentage of restaurants rated “romantic” according to OpenTable diner reviews; the percentage of tables seated for two; and the percentage of people who dined out for Valentine’s Day in 2017.

The following cities, listed in order, comprise the 10 Most Romantic Cities in Canada 2018.Continue Reading

Known for its signature bagels and smoked meat and a passion for foie gras and poutine, Montreal is a city whose denizens love to eat. While some of the must-visit restaurants for visitors overlap with local picks, there are also some neighborhood gems that fly under the radar. We went straight to the source to find the Montreal restaurants loved by locals.

Restaurant Toque!
Toque! is an institution and makes it to the top of every list of the best restaurants in Canada. Normand Laprise is arguably the most respected chef in town and the Montreal cuisine guru. He is credited with having pioneered the local farm-to-table movement using top quality products from around the country, and he has trained many of the city’s hottest young chefs. One of his emblematic dishes is the duck breast, currently served with Jerusalem artichoke purée, rutabaga, funnel chanterelle mushrooms, black garlic purée, and vermouth sauce. Make a reservation at Restaurant Toque!.

La Chronique
La Chronique is a top French restaurant, still getting amazing reviews after more than 20 years in business. Located on Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, the chef-owners are Marc De Canck and Olivier de Montigny. Cozy, classy, and sleek, it offers a fresh approach to French market cuisine with luxurious and pure Canadian touches. A signature dish is the tuna tartar with cucumbers, shimeji mushrooms, and a soy maple glaze. Service is impeccable and dishes are presented elegantly, making it a perfect place for special occasions or a romantic evening. Make a reservation at La Chronique.

Salmigondis
A favorite in Little Italy and close to the market, Salmigondis has a white interior with dark wood and a lovely terrace with a vibe that’s been described by some as haute hipster. Locals choose it for brunch, lunch, and dinner, thanks to the friendly and professional service and impressive food that ranges from comforting borscht and French onion soup to modern dishes like duck tartar with pear, pearl onion, cloudberries, and a sous vide egg yolk. There are attractive prix–fixe deals for lunch and dinner, and the restaurant boasts an excellent cocktail program. Make a reservation at Salmigondis.

Hoogan & Beaufort
Hoogan & Beaufort is the dream of and collaboration between the owners, chef Marc-André Jetté and sommelier William Saulnier. It is located in Rosemont Petite Patrie on the EST part of town in a rustic building that dates back to the early 1800’s and features a big fire pit as the main attraction in an open kitchen. The cuisine is modern and creative, and, in addition to grilling, they make their own bread, pastas, and charcuterie, and work with whole animals from head to tail. Also on trend, they offer organic and natural wines from small unique producers. Make a reservation at Hoogan & Beaufort.

Mesón Restaurant Général Espagnol
Mesón Restaurant General Espagnol is a neighborhood favorite in trendy Villeray. Hip and with a terrific bar, this beautiful and casual spot is the sister restaurant of Tapeo, another local favorite. Guests rave about their octopus with potatoes and smoked paprika as well as their seafood zarzuela stew, coca chickpea flatbreads, and their much- loved Paella a la Mesón with bomba rice, chicken, shrimp, clams, mussels, chorizo, tomatoes, and green peas. Brunch offers something out of the ordinary in the way of pancakes served with dulce de leche and fruit, churros and a Spanish-style tortilla with potatoes. Make a reservation at Mesón Restaurant Général Espagnol.

Lawrence
Lawrence is always hopping, thanks to a creative and unique menu. Opened in 2011 by Sefi Amir, Marc Cohen, Annika Krausz, and Ethan Wills, the offerings change regularly, but there’s always an emphasis on local and respectfully raised meat, seasonal vegetables, fresh fish and seafood, homemade charcuterie, and a strong bread and pastry program. The food is simple yet refined and elegant, and the vibe at night is lively. Brunch is particularly popular, with a decidedly British slant—with dishes such as the classic British breakfast, deviled kidneys on toast, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, and scones with jam and clotted cream. Make a reservation at Lawrence.

There are few dishes more classically Canadian than poutine, although some chefs are proclaiming it entirely Quebecois. Whatever its identity, it is said to have originated in a restaurant in Quebec in the 1950s (however, this, too, is a contentious topic), and the standard recipe includes French fries, gravy, and cheese curds. These nine restaurants are spicing things up, sometimes literally, with unique twists on poutine that we can’t argue with.

Poutine De Fruits de Mer at Chez Delmo, Montreal
A seafood lover’s dream, this dish is made with hand-cut french fries and topped with scallops, shrimp, and crayfish sauce. It’s a comforting snack ideal for chilly winter nights. Make a reservation at Chez Delmo.

Vegan Poutine at LOV, Montreal
Vegans want a delicious mess of fries and cheese, too! This veggie-friendly spot makes theirs with miso gravy, kale chips, and vegan cheese. You can even order it with sweet potato fries for an extra dollar. Make a reservation at LOV.

It’s Canadian, Eh-Lobster Poutine at Lobster Monster, Toronto
This best-selling appetizer is definitely a monster. The fries are slathered in melted mozzarella and chunks of lobster and then smothered in lobster bisque. It’s also served with a side of Canadian maple syrup — of course. Make a reservation at Lobster Monster.

Duck Fat Fried Poutine at CHARCUT, Calgary
The potatoes here aren’t fried in any old oil; they’re crisped in duck fat. Owners John Jackson and Connie DeSousa say, “Our Duck Fat Fried Poutine is about indulgence and comfort.” The pile of duck fat fries is topped with chicken gravy and cheese curds from Quebec. Make a reservation at CHARCUT.

Unagi Poutine at Ikemen Ramen Bar, Calgary
The first to create a Japanese take on poutine in the whole of Canada. The dish starts off with hand-cut fries, and the chef adds some housemade chicken gravy, locally sourced cheese curds, and BBQ unagi, garlic mayo, dried seaweed powder, and bonito flakes. Make a reservation at Ikemen Ramen Bar.

A recent analysis of OpenTable data reveals that reservations for parties of one have grown nationally by 85 percent since 2015.

The findings indicate that the stigma surrounding dining solo may be starting to lift and that guests are eager to savor special culinary experiences alone. Data shows the majority of solo dining reservations are booked for dinner (43 percent) followed by lunch (30 percent). Canadian solo diners also book the majority of their tables Monday to Friday (78 percent), saving the weekends for dining with others.

In celebration of solo diners and the restaurants that welcome them, we’re pleased to announce the Top 25 Restaurants for Solo Dining in Canada 2017. The list was generated based on the restaurants most booked for tables of one and the “overall” star-ratings associated with reviews submitted by verified diners. Based on this methodology, the Top 25 Restaurants for Solo Dining in Canada 2017, according to OpenTable diners, are as follows (in alphabetical order):Continue Reading

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Caroline Potter is the Chief Dining Officer for OpenTable, Inc. She’s a dining trend-spotter and an OpenTable VIP, who dines out more than she eats in and has accrued more than 10,000 Dining Rewards points. Caroline started working in restaurants as a teen and she’s since tackled every front-of-the-house job, from bartender and hostess to runner and server. She trained as a chef at Manhattan’s prestigious French Culinary Institute, cooking at L’Ecole. In addition to her role at OpenTable, she has written about food from farm to table for New York City’s famed Greenmarket and Edible Brooklyn and Edible East End magazines. Caroline is also a Certified Master Gardener.